Press Release: HAILE GEBRSELASSIE commits to FIRST run in SOUTH EAST ASIA with entry into the STANDARD CHARTERED MARATHON SINGAPORE 2014

SINGAPORE, 15 OCTOBER 2014 — Haile Gebrselassie, the man widely regarded as the greatest ever long distance runner, will be participating in this year’s Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore and lining up alongside thousands of runners in the 10km race category.

Close to 13,000 participants have already signed up for the 10km and will now enjoy the amazing opportunity to run in the same race as the man who once covered the distance in a stunning 26mins 22secs.

The 41-year-old Ethiopian has also won two Olympic gold medals and four World Championship titles over the 10km distance and as recently as 2008, broke the Marathon world record with a time of 2:03:59 in Berlin.

“Haile Gebrselassie is arguably the greatest long distance runner in modern history, so to have him grace the Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore is an absolute coup not only for the event but for everyone in the local running community,” said Chris Robb, Managing Director, Spectrum Worldwide.

Gebrselassie will also host a number of training clinics while he is in town, with local runners set to benefit from the extensive knowledge of the man who set an astonishing 27 world records throughout his illustrious career. The specific details of the clinics, as well as several other public appearances, will be announced by the event organisers in the coming weeks.

“Running alongside an Olympic Gold medallist and World Champion will certainly excite and encourage the runners to push themselves and go the extra mile, be it for their personal best, or their charitable ‘reason to run’. For competitive runners it will be a great opportunity to be able to engage and learn from a legend in the sport such as Haile,” said Mr Toh Boon Yi, Chief, Strategic Development and Marketing Group, Sport Singapore.

This year’s Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore will mark the running legend’s first visit to the Lion City and to South East Asia. He has raced all over the world on the track and field circuit as well as various international running events, winning the Berlin Marathon over four consecutive years from 2006 – 2009. He is also a winner of the Amsterdam, Fukuoka and Dubai Marathons, winning the latter event as recently as 2010. Gebrselassie’s remarkable form has continued well into his 40s, winning the Vienna City Half Marathon in 2013 with a time of 1:01.14. A little over a year ago, he finished the BUPA Great North Run half marathon in third place, only 30 seconds behind the three-time Olympic gold medalist and fellow countryman Kenenisa Bekele (first place) and double Olympic gold medallist Mo Farah (second place).

“Everyone I’ve spoken with has told me the Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore is one of the great events in Asia and I’m delighted to have chosen this race as my first running event in that part of the world,” said Gebrselassie.

“I’m looking forward to racing the 10km but I am equally excited by the opportunity to help out the local running community with the various training runs and clinics I plan to host. I’ve been told there is a vibrant running scene in Singapore and I can’t wait to experience it for myself in early December,” he added.

Runners still have the opportunity to sign up and run with Gebrselassie, as limited slots remain available in the Marathon, Ekiden, 10km and Kids Dash categories. To allow runners to register and run with the ‘Greatest Ever’, registration at http://marathonsingapore.com/ will remain open until midnight on Friday, 31 October. Late registrations will still be accepted, with a $20 late fee and a non-personalised race bib.

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